The Forgotten Nations: Countries That Rose and Fell in the 20th Century

History often remembers the giants—the empires that spanned centuries and the superpowers that defined the modern world. But what about the nations that burned brightly for a brief moment, only to vanish within a single century? The 20th century, with its wars, revolutions, and shifting ideologies, saw the rise and fall of several nations that today exist only in history books and the memories of their former citizens.

1. The Weimar Republic (1919–1933)

Born from the ashes of the German Empire, the Weimar Republic was an ambitious democratic experiment that ultimately failed. Economic hardship, hyperinflation, and political extremism led to its collapse and paved the way for Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Today, the Weimar Republic is often studied as a cautionary tale of how fragile democracy can be in the face of crisis.

2. Manchukuo (1932–1945)

A Japanese puppet state in what is now northeastern China, Manchukuo was an attempt to create an imperial stronghold in Asia. The state was ruled in name by the last emperor of China, Puyi, but in reality, it was controlled by Japan. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Manchukuo was dismantled and reincorporated into China.

3. East Germany (1949–1990)

The Cold War gave birth to the German Democratic Republic (GDR), better known as East Germany. A socialist state aligned with the Soviet Union, East Germany was defined by its repressive regime, the Berlin Wall, and its secret police, the Stasi. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 heralded the end of the GDR, leading to German reunification in 1990.

4. Rhodesia (1965–1979)

A short-lived, unrecognized state in southern Africa, Rhodesia was a white-minority-ruled nation that declared independence from Britain in 1965. International sanctions and a protracted guerrilla war led to its eventual transition into modern-day Zimbabwe in 1980. Its legacy remains deeply controversial, with some viewing it as a failed last stand of colonial rule and others as a chapter of oppression rightfully overturned.

5. Yugoslavia (1918–1992)

Founded in the aftermath of World War I, Yugoslavia was a union of South Slavic nations held together through monarchy, and later, under the iron grip of socialist leader Josip Broz Tito. After his death, the country descended into chaos, leading to brutal wars in the 1990s that resulted in the creation of modern nations like Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and others. The disintegration of Yugoslavia remains one of the most violent collapses of a 20th-century nation.

6. The Soviet Union (1922–1991)

Perhaps the most famous 20th-century nation to rise and fall within a century, the USSR was a global superpower that shaped the Cold War world. Spanning 15 republics, the Soviet Union was a communist experiment that ultimately collapsed under the weight of economic stagnation, political corruption, and nationalist movements. Its dissolution in 1991 reshaped global politics and led to the rise of the Russian Federation and other independent states.

Why Do Nations Disappear?

The collapse of these countries was often caused by war, economic failure, or political instability. Some, like the USSR, were simply too large to sustain themselves, while others, like Manchukuo and Rhodesia, were artificial states propped up by external forces.

The 20th century was an era of immense change, where borders were redrawn and ideologies clashed. The nations that rose and fell within this time serve as reminders that no political entity is eternal. In an era where global tensions are once again on the rise, perhaps we should ask ourselves: Which of today’s nations might not make it to the 22nd century?